Workshops

Description of the Project: The ChemLinks Coalition and the Modular CHEM Consortium, two of the National Science Foundation "systemic change initiative" projects in chemistry, have collaborated to develop and test topical modules for the first two years of the college chemistry curriculum. W.W. Norton is publishing these modules as the ChemConnections series. These 2-4 week modules start with relevant real-world questions and develop the chemistry needed to answer them. They feature student-centered active and collaborative classroom activities and inquiry-based laboratory projects rather than relying primarily on traditional lectures, exams, and verification laboratories. In the process, students learn more effectively and model how chemistry is actually done. Over a hundred faculty from more than forty 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges, and universities are developing and testing modules dealing with chemistry and the environment, technology, and life processes. The resulting modules are adaptable to a variety of institutional settings. The breadth of topical coverage and the options available to instructors for depth of coverage make the program highly flexible. These modules are appropriate for use in various introductory level chemistry courses, e.g. non-science, science and technology, and potential chemistry major courses. Twelve modules for general chemistry are available for use beginning in the 2003 academic year. Workshops for Potential Module Users: Faculty workshops have been designed to provide instructors an opportunity to evaluate this new approach and adapt it to their own teaching environment. These workshops are intensive, interactive experiences that focus on using ChemConnections modules in the classroom and laboratory. Sessions are led by module authors and faculty who have used the modular materials in their own courses. At the workshops participants: Experience learning and teaching with active-participation, student-centered pedagogies Learn how to use the modules effectively in their own classroom Develop skills to train other faculty members and teaching assistants in the use of the modular materials Review and contribute ideas to the further development of the modules Share ideas and experiences with other instructors in a collaborative environment   What Are the Workshop Options How Are the Workshops Organized? How and When Do I Apply?                       Current Workshops: Multi-initiative Dissemination Project (MIDP) Workshops http://www.cchem.berkeley.edu/midp The five NSF systemic chemistry curriculum reform projects are giving workshops to disseminate their innovations. The workshops take two forms: 1.5 day workshops presenting innovations from all the systemic reform projects and 3 day intensive workshops presenting innovations from two of the projects Academic Year 2003-04 workshops of 1.5 days length. September 19-20 University of Nebraska, Lincoln October 17--18 University of Denver, Denver, CO November 7-8 City College of New York, NYC January 23-24 Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge February 6-7 University of Arkansas, Little Rock March 5-6 Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, CT April 16-17 Macalester College, St. Paul, MN TBA Portland Community College, Portland, OR For additional information and registration: http://www.cchem.berkeley.edu/~midp/ Intensive Summer Workshops Most of the NSF Chemistry Initiative projects are offering summer workshops for faculty who may be interested in adapting and adopting their materials and approaches. These workshops are part of the regular NSF Chautauqua Short Course program. In each workshop, individuals will spend three days working intensively with one project. Summer (3 day) Chautauqua Workshops: http://www.engr.pitt.edu/chautauqua for information and registration May 24-26 Peer-Led Team Learning, TBA June 6-8 ChemConnections, UC, Berkeley June 23-25 Molecular Science, UCLAMolecular Science, UCLA For workshop information and registration: Multi-Initiative Workshops (MIDP) http://www.cchem.berkeley.edu/~midp/ NSF Chautauqua Worhshops http://www.engr.pitt.edu/chautauqua For information on the individual projects: ChemConnections http://mc2.cchem.berkeley.edu/ & http://chemistry.beloit.edu [ChemLinks & MC2] New Traditions http://newtraditions.chem.wisc.edu/ Molecular Science http://www.molsci.ucla.edu/ Peer-led Team Learning (PLTL) http://www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/~chemwksp/index.html Back to top

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